Marianne Brogan
Marianne Brogan (born 8 June 1935, died 18 August 2016) was an American pool and open water swimmer who is the namesake of the Brogan Open Water Classic, previously named the Lake Erie Open Water Classic.
She led a life that was focused on healthy living and an active lifestyle. Giving back to the community was an important tenet of her life, as shown by her participation in raising funds for charities that focused on the needs of children.
She was employed by the YMCA for 20 years and held a position on the Advisory Board for the Aquatic Exercise Association. She was the first instructor to be certified by the Arthritis Foundation and won the Lifetime Achievement Award in Aquatic Fitness. After retirement from the YWCA she was co-owner with Kathy Plescia of All Around Fitness, Inc.
Her swimming career included membership with O*H*I*O Masters for over 40 years. She served on many committees, including the fitness committee for USMS where she was awarded the Fitness Committee Award at the National Convention. Her swimming accomplishments included 10 individual USMS National Championships and 5th place in the 5 km open water swim at the 1994 FINA Masters World Championships.
She and her husband Doug Brogan served as co-directors of the 30 Minute Swim that challenges swimmers to swim for 30 continuous minutes, offering an alternative to the One Hour Postal event for swimmers preparing to step up to that challenge.
She passed away on 18 August 2016. That year, to honor her and her husband Doug Brogan, and to recognize their contribution to open water swimming in Lake Erie, the Lake Erie Open Water Classic was changed to the Brogan Open Water Classic.
